After the fight with the three Stage 8 rogue cultivators, the forest became quiet again.
Lin Kai sat under a tree while Su Mei carefully cleaned and bandaged his wounds.
The cuts on his shoulder and arm were not light, but the Void Core was already working to heal them faster than normal.
Wang Bo stood nearby with his heavy sword resting on his shoulder.
“Brother Kai, those three were really strong. Especially that white-haired one. He felt even more dangerous than the Stage 8 elder we met before.”
Ye Chen nodded.
“Bai Wuya is famous among rogue cultivators. He is known for never giving up once he accepts a job. They will come again.”
Lin Kai opened his eyes slowly.
“I know. That is why we cannot stay in one place for too long.”
He looked at the rest of the team.
Bai Shan, Old Scar, Cao Hu, Mei Ling, and the others were all watching him with serious faces.
Even though they had only joined recently, the fight had shown them that their leader was willing to stand at the front.
“We will rest here tonight,” Lin Kai said.
“Tomorrow morning, we move closer to Cloud Mountain Sect. The entrance test will begin in two days. Many people will gather there. It is a good chance to gather information and also to let the world see that I am still alive.”
Old Scar rubbed his scarred chin.
“Leader, if we appear openly, the Li Clan will definitely try something again.”
“Let them,” Lin Kai answered coldly.
“I am not going to hide forever.”
That night, the team took turns keeping watch.
Lin Kai cultivated quietly.
The remaining energy from the previous battles slowly merged into his Void Core.
His injuries healed faster than expected, and by early morning, most of the pain was gone.
[Current Stage: Mid Stage 6]
[Progress to Late Stage 6: 19%]
[Void Energy: 8,150 units]
When the sun rose, the group packed up and left the waterfall area.
They moved carefully through the forest, avoiding main roads.
By noon, they reached a small town near the foot of Cloud Mountain.
The town was already crowded.
Many young cultivators from different cities had arrived for the sect entrance test.
Inns were full, and the streets were noisy with people talking about geniuses, techniques, and the recent trouble between the Li Clan and a mysterious black flame cultivator.
Lin Kai wore a simple black cloak and a mask to hide his face. Visit g.com for the full chapter.
The rest of the team also kept a low profile.
They rented a quiet courtyard on the edge of the town.
After settling down, Lin Kai called Su Mei and Ye Chen.
“Su Mei, go and find Han Wei. I want the latest information about the entrance test and also about the Li Clan’s movements. Ye Chen, take Bai Shan and check the surroundings. Make sure no one is following us.”
Both of them left to carry out their tasks.
Wang Bo sat down heavily on a wooden chair and laughed.
“Leader, when are we going to show our faces properly? I’m getting tired of hiding.”
Lin Kai looked at him.
“Soon. But first, I want to see the quality of the young geniuses who will join Cloud Mountain Sect this year.”
In the afternoon, Su Mei returned with Han Wei.
The scholarly young man still carried his folding fan and looked as calm as ever.
“Lin Kai,” Han Wei said with a small smile, “you are becoming more famous every day. The Li Clan is furious. They lost face again after the three Stage 8 experts failed to kill you. Many people in the city are now calling you the Black Flame Demon.”
Lin Kai’s expression did not change.
“What about the entrance test?”
Han Wei opened his fan and spoke slowly.
“The test will have three stages. First is a basic strength test. Second is a combat test against puppets or other participants. Third is a special test inside a secret realm that the sect opens only once every three years. Many geniuses from nearby cities have come. Among them, three names are the most discussed.”
He raised three fingers.
“First is Zhao Rong, the one who already visited you. He is Peak Stage 7 and very intelligent. Second is a girl named Luo Qingya. She is from a hidden family and is already at Late Stage 7. People say her ice techniques are extremely pure. Third is a quiet young man named Feng Jian. Almost no one knows where he comes from, but he defeated two Stage 7 experts easily in a private fight two days ago.”
Lin Kai listened carefully.
“What about Lin Feng?”
“Lin Feng will not join the test,” Han Wei answered.
“He is already an inner disciple candidate through the Lin Clan’s connection. But he will come to watch the test. Many people believe he wants to see you.”
Lin Kai’s eyes turned slightly colder.
“Good. Let him watch.”
After Han Wei left, the team ate a simple meal together.
The new members were still adjusting, but the atmosphere was much more united than before.
Later that night, while Lin Kai was cultivating, Bai Shan suddenly appeared again.
“Leader, someone is waiting outside the courtyard. It is Zhao Rong.”
Lin Kai stood up and walked out.
Zhao Rong was standing under a tree with his usual calm smile.
This time he came alone.
“You are hard to find,” Zhao Rong said.
“I heard you fought three Stage 8 experts and survived. Impressive.”
Lin Kai looked at him directly. This chapter is updated first at novelping.com.
“What do you want this time?”
Zhao Rong played with his fan.
“I came to give you a warning and an offer. The Li Clan has requested help from the City Lord’s mansion. They want to declare you a wanted criminal across the entire Azure Cloud City region. If that happens, even the Cloud Mountain Sect might be pressured to act against you.”
Lin Kai remained silent for a moment.
“And your offer?”
“Join the entrance test under a fake name,” Zhao Rong said.
“If you perform well and become an outer disciple, the sect’s protection will make it harder for the Li Clan to touch you openly. Of course… I also want to see your true strength during the test.”
Lin Kai stared at him for a few seconds.
“I will think about it.”
Zhao Rong smiled and turned to leave.
“Don’t think too long. The test starts the day after tomorrow.”
After Zhao Rong left, Lin Kai returned inside.
Su Mei, Wang Bo, and Ye Chen were waiting for him.
“What did he say?” Su Mei asked.
Lin Kai repeated the conversation.
Wang Bo slammed his hand on the table.
“Leader, let’s join the test! If the Li Clan wants to make you a wanted criminal, then we should make the whole city see your power.”
Ye Chen spoke more calmly.
“There is risk, but there is also opportunity. Becoming connected to Cloud Mountain Sect could give us more breathing room.”
Lin Kai sat down and closed his eyes for a moment.
When he opened them again, his decision was clear.
“We will join the test. But not all of us. I will enter under a different name. The rest of you will stay outside and watch. If anything goes wrong, be ready to act.”
Everyone agreed.
That night, while the others rested, Lin Kai stood alone in the courtyard and looked at the distant Cloud Mountain.
“Lin Feng… Li Clan… Cloud Mountain Sect…” he whispered.
“All of you will see that the trash you once looked down on has already started climbing.”
Far away in Azure Cloud City, Lin Feng stood on the highest floor of the Lin Clan mansion.
He held a cup of tea and looked in the same direction.
“Come to the test, Lin Kai,” he said softly.
“I am waiting.”
The next stage of the storm was about to begin.
End of Chapter 15